When Stress Rises, Pets Step In: What a New Global Survey Reveals About the Comfort Our Animals Provide

Life moves quickly, and stress has a way of piling up—work, family, screens, endless to-dos. In the middle of all that, one reliable source of calm often sits right beside us, curled up on the couch or nudging our hand for attention.

A global survey from Mars Incorporated, conducted with Calm, highlights just how deeply people rely on their pets during stressful moments. The study gathered responses from more than 30,000 pet owners across 20 countries, uncovering heart-warming and surprisingly consistent trends.

Key Findings: A Clear Preference for Comfort on Four Legs

One of the most remarkable insights from the survey is just how strongly people turn to their pets when they need emotional support:

• 58% of pet owners prefer spending time with their pet over spending time with their partner when stressed.
• By comparison, only 32% chose their partner, 23% chose a family member, and 18% chose children or friends.
• 83% say their pet has had a positive impact on their mental wellbeing.
• 84% report that simply having their pet nearby—even without interacting—helps them feel calmer.

These findings confirm something many pet owners already know intuitively: the presence of an animal can soften a difficult moment and ground us when everything else feels hectic.

Pets Encourage Healthier Habits Too

The survey also shows that pets play an important role in helping their owners adopt healthier daily routines:

• 78% say their pet reminds them to take breaks from work, chores, or screens—
  and half say this happens every day.
• 73% feel their pet encourages them to go outside more often.
• 77% say their pet helps them step away from technology, with many reporting that this also happens daily.

A five-minute pause, a short walk, or a playful interruption may not feel transformative in the moment, but over time, these small habits matter.

Everyday Moments That Make a Difference

Even without dramatic examples, the day-to-day interactions between pets and their people speak volumes:

• A dog settling quietly at someone’s feet after a long, difficult day.
• A cat wandering onto a laptop or curling beside its owner, unintentionally creating the break that was needed.
• A pet that seems to sense when its person needs calm, quiet, or simply a comforting presence.

These small moments are part of what makes the human–animal bond so powerful.

What This Means for Pet Owners

The Mars–Calm survey offers several helpful reminders about the value pets bring into everyday life:

1. Pets genuinely contribute to emotional wellbeing. Their ability to calm and comfort isn’t imagined—it’s measurable.
2. Pet routines support healthier habits. Walks, play, and caregiving tasks naturally create structure.
3. It’s worth noticing the small interactions. The five-minute cuddle or spontaneous screen break is more meaningful than it may seem.
4. Pets create opportunities for mindfulness. Being present, pausing, and slowing down often happen because of them.
5. Sharing these experiences builds connection. Nearly every pet owner has a moment of comfort, humor, or relief to share—and those stories resonate universally.

A Simple, Encouraging Conclusion

When stress levels rise, many people instinctively turn to the steady companionship of their pets. The new Mars findings confirm just how common—and how beneficial—that instinct is. Whether it’s a dog eager for a walk or a cat content to simply sit nearby, pets provide comfort in a quiet, uncomplicated way.

It’s a reminder worth holding onto: the support we offer our animals is often returned at exactly the moments we need it most. And that bond remains one of the most uplifting parts of sharing our lives with pets.